Identification of Colorectal Cancer Risks of Individuals Aged over Fifty and Their Beliefs towards Having Fecal Occult Blood Test

Abstract

Objective: In Turkey, Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the sixth among cancer types observed in women and men and the third in deaths resulting from cancer. In protection from CRC, knowing health beliefs about Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) may help change the perceptions of health such as barrier and benefit and increase participation in screenings. This study was carried out in order to identify the CRC risks of individuals aged over fifty and their attitudes towards having fecal occult blood test. Methods: This study was designed as a descriptive-cross-sectional study. The sample included 590 individuals aged over 50. Data were collected with the question form and the Scale for Assessment of Benefits and Barriers of Colorectal Cancer Screening-FOBT. Results: The rate of having FOBT in the last five years was found 3.1 times higher for 'doctor or any other health specialist advising having test for CRC' (95% CI=1.863-5.209), 5.7 times higher for 'Being diagnosed with colon polyp before' (95% CI=1.365-23.894). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the CRC screening behaviors of individuals aged over 50 in a rural area are quite inadequate. One of the health beliefs, the total perception of benefit in having FOBT was found to be above middle level and the total perception of barrier to be below the middle level.